Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Fierce clashes broke out late Monday in northern district of Yaqshid, where al-Shabab fighters launched an offensive on the military station held by Hizbul Islam, triggering heavy artillery exchanges that lasted for several hours, a Press TV correspondent reported.
According to eyewitnesses, the majority of casualties are from Hizbul Islam fighters while a number of civilians were also wounded during the upsurge of violence.
"Al-Shabab fighters are now in control of the position while the other side has left the area. Civilians have also vacated their homes for fear of retaliations," an eyewitness told Press TV.
Meanwhile, Xinhua quoted a senior Somali official as saying that the government has made overtures to Hizbul Islam and is currently holding talks with its top leaders.
"The talks with the leaders from Hezbul Islam are in progress and we hope to have tangible results just like we had with others leaders from the group," said Abdelrasak Qaylow, a spokesman for the Somali Ministry of Information.
War-crippled Somalia has been the scene for surging civilian strife since the collapse of the country's central government in 1991.
According to the UN figures, more than 1.4 million Somalis are displaced inside the country and some 570,000 live as refugees in neighboring countries.
HA/MMN
Source: Press TV